DIY Bitcoin Seed Phrase Washers Tutorial

Introduction

Backing up Bitcoin seed phrases securely is essential for those looking to protect their assets without relying on third-party solutions. This DIY Bitcoin Seed Phrase Washers guide explains a durable, cost-effective method using steel washers to create a secure, offline storage method for seed phrases. Unlike traditional paper backups or expensive steel plates, this approach allows you to store phrases on individual washers, which are compact, fire-resistant, and customizable.

Background

There are several secure methods to store your seed phrase.

  • Paper or Cardboard: Simple and cost-effective but can be vulnerable to damage, not so secure.
  • Encrypted USB: Store a text file with strong encryption for added digital security. This one is not that bad, but it implies interacting with a computer, you could have keyloggers, viruses, etc… If done online it could be an option (but probably not the best one).
  • Segmented Emails Or Cloud drives: Split the phrase and send in parts with encryption to avoid single-point exposure. Not recommended since it is exposed to the internet permanently.
  • QR Code Hidden in an Object: Conceals the phrase within a unique physical item or picture. This one is quite fancy and could be an option if done properly
  • Steel Wallet: Engrave on metal for maximum protection against fire and water. Our best option, offline and durable.

Each method offers a balance of security, durability, and convenience. But among these options, stamping words onto steel stands out for its durability. This approach offers resilience against elements like fire, impact, and extreme weather. Moreover, if you add an extra security layer such as a strong passphrase, if someone physically gains access to your backup, they would still require the passphrase to retrieve the stored information. With regards to the steel options, there are many popular options out there in the market, ranging from around $60 to 350$. The most common options are:

  • Metal Plates Solutions: There are many metal plate options available, such as XSeed ($60) and CryptoTag’s Thor ($350) and Zeus ($129) models.
XSEED
thor
  • Hex-bar-shaped or capsule-shaped options: such as CryptoTag Odin ($199) or Cryptosteel capsule ($89):
odin
cryptosteel capsule
  • Pre-etched seed phrase solutions: such as Billfodl ($99) , which comes with engraved tiles, or even worse, Material Bitcoin ($89), which gives you the seed phrase already (we would never recommend this option, even if they claim that they do not keep the customers seed data)
Billfodl 2
material bitcoin

But our preferred option, not only because it is affordabe, good and safe, but also because it minimizes dependency on specific suppliers, as these are generic tools you can source from many places, is the metal DIY Bitcoin Seed Phrase Washers solution.

DIY Bitcoin Seed Phrase Washers

The original concept for creating a steel wallet stems from James Stanley’s innovative approach. He introduced the idea of using simple steel washers, a bolt, and a nut to craft a secure storage solution for seed phrases. This method allows users to produce their own wallets, reducing reliance on external suppliers. Once equipped with essential tools like a hammer and character punches, anyone can easily replicate the wallet design by sourcing affordable materials from local hardware stores. This practicality makes it a cost-effective alternative to purchasing pre-made steel plates.

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While the idea of using steel washers for seed phrase storage was excellent, the execution was somewhat crude. The engraving of the letters were not always be consistent or precise, some letters were less legible than desired, etc…

Then came the Blockmit, another excellent idea that enhanced the engraving process by utilizing metal punches and a template. While the Blockmit tutorial has been invaluable for many users over the years, it’s important to note that not everything is perfect. The stamping jig isn’t particularly sturdy, and variations in hole tolerances and different seal brands can hinder performance. Additionally, its small size and fragility make it challenging to handle effectively, which can complicate the stamping process for users.

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Given these circumstances, over the past two years, we have been working to develop a solution that retains the core philosophy of James Stanley and Blockmit but is more robust, straightforward, and efficient. Our goal has been to enhance the overall user experience while addressing the shortcomings identified in existing methods, ensuring that users can securely store their seed phrases with greater ease and reliability. Here it comes our tutorial using the BitJig.

Tools and Materials

For this DIY project, you will need:

Materials

  • Washers: Standard M6 (18mm diameter) or M8 (24mm diameter) washers (enough for each word in the seed phrase). We recommend 18mm washers as they are cheaper and easier to hide.
  • Bolts and Nut: A bolt and nut to secure the washers in a stack. M6 if you chose 18mm washers, and M8 if you chose 24mm washers.

Tools

  • Steel Punches: Hardened punches with 3mm or 4mm characters for engraving letters and numbers.
  • Hammer: Preferably a mallet-type hammer.
  • BitJig: Holds washers in place while stamping, ensuring alignment.
  • Adhesive Tape and Anvil: Used to secure washers in the BitJig, only mandatory if you are using a BitJig Lite or BitJig Free.

Shopping List

  • Washers: We can assume a cost around 2-2.5$ for a set of 25 washers (M6 or M8, although M6, 18mm diameter would be cheaper) in a hardware store.
  • Bolts and Nut: We can assume a price range around 1-1.5$ for a set of bolt and nut (M6 or M8)

Alternatively you can purchase some of our capsule sets.

  • Steel Punches: The price range starts from around 17$ to 20-22$. We recommend getting ones from Benecreat, or ones made from decent quality, this ones from amazon would be a reasonable choice. The steel punches should be 6mm width, and 60mm long.
  • Hammer: Preferably a mallet-type hammer. It has to be made of steel. We recommend anything made of steel that weights more than 800gr. This mallet in amazon could be an option. They are generally priced around 10-15$
  • BitJig: You have the BitJig Free option, which may cost around 2$ to manufacture in case you have a 3D printer. Otherwise we recommend a BitJig M6 or M8, they both cost below 20$.
  • Adhesive Tape and Anvil: Used to secure washers in the BitJig, only mandatory if you are using a BitJig Lite or BitJig Free. We recommend searching for a jewelry anvil in aliexpress (anything at least 70mmx70mm is OK). They should be around 10$. Adhesive tape can be purchased at any store for 1$ or less.

Alternatively you can purchase some of our packs, including everything.

Price Estimation

The estimated costs for creating your own seed phrase storage solution are as follows: approximately $2-$2.50 for 25 washers, $1-$1.50 for a bolt and nut set, and $17-$22 for quality steel punches. A steel hammer will generally cost around $10-$15 (we will asume you have one already), while a BitJig can range from 2$ in materials (if 3D printed) to under $20. Additionally, an anvil may cost around $10, with adhesive tape available for $1 or less. Therefore, the total estimated costs would be:

  • If you have a hammer or mallet, and a 3D printer, you can get a seedphrase in washers for around 40$, considering that you have to purchase an anvil. If you do not have the appropriate mallet, it would be around 50-55$.
  • If you have a mallet, and do not have a 3D printer, you could purchase one of our BitJig M6 or M8, which have the anvil embedded, and the total cost would be around 40-45$. If you do not have the appropriate mallet, it would be around 55-60$.
  • You could purchase one of our packs, that include all the items needed, and fit perfectly, for the same range of prices above.

DIY Bitcoin Seed Phrase Washers Tutorial

Gather all materials and place them on a sturdy, non-slip surface. Ideally, you should do all the engraving process on top of a hard surface such as a cement/concrete floor. If you do not have an anvil, place a hard wood or thick plastic board underneath the BitJig to ensure that you do not leave any marks on the floor during the hammering process. Do not use any rug or cloth just below the BitJig, as you might damage the base due to the cloth dampening. This tutorial provides pictures for both BitJig M6 and M8 versions.

Make sure you have your steel punches, washers, mallet and BitJig available. You should alse have a seed phrase of 12 or 24 words ready to be engraved in washers:

DIY Bitcoin Seed Phrase Washers

The BitJig has two positions: lock and unlock. Rotate the base central element to the unlock position (according to the open lock icon). In this position, the washer clamp inside the base moves up.

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With the BitJig in the unlock position, easily insert the washer you wish to engrave into the washer clamp. Once the washer is inserted, rotate the BitJig to the lock position, securing it firmly, note that the washer holder inside the base moves down . It is recommended to flip and tap the BitJig to ensure the washer is securely held.

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Next, insert the desired letter or number into the central part of the BitJig, aligning it with the cavity for the steel punch. Pay special attention to the orientation of the letters or numbers, considering how they will appear when stamped on the washer. Place the central part of the BitJig into the base and press it down, ensuring it is properly aligned.

Use a metal hammer or mallet to engrave the corresponding number or letter by striking the stamp. The imprint will be marked on the washer. Once the desired letter or number is stamped, remove the central part of the BitJig and place the next stamp in the desired position. Repeat this process until the washer is
complete, ensuring all required positions are stamped.

In this case we have engraved 2 words as an example. 01 – BAR on a 18mm diameter (M6) washer:

Collage 1 BAR

And 21 – MILLION on a 24mm diameter (M8) washer:

Collage 2 MILLION
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Once all the desired letters or numbers are stamped, remove the central part, rotate the base to the fully unlocked position and gently remove the washer (it should come out when the BitJig base is flipped).

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Once all seed word washers are completed, insert them onto a screw and secure them with the corresponding nut. You can store them in the capsules that we provide:

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The 18mm washers even fit into one of our steel capsules:

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Or you can conceal it in any of our products designed for this purpose. For instance a fake plant pot:

Conclusion

This DIY seed storage is affordable, secure, and effective. Using washers, bolts, and nuts from any hardware store keeps costs low. Once you have punches, you’ll only need washers for additional copies, making it economical long-term. The materials are extremely durable, resistant to fire, water, and corrosion, ensuring protection over time.

This is not only demonstrated by the materials tests that we have carried out, this is a well-known methodology. For instance in this post by Econoalchemist, the durability of steel washers for secure backups is demonstrated, showing their resilience against fire, water, and corrosion. This solution is tested as highly resistant to these elements, reinforcing its effectiveness for long-term seed phrase protection.

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The DIY Bitcoin Seed Phrase Washers solution is customizable, allowing you full control over engraving, arrangement, and storage. Buying locally supports privacy, as well as buying from our store with our no-KYC method for several countries accross Europe (Additionally, we delete all the orders monthly, and store them offline, to minimize any hacking risks).

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